Major damage could be caused in the West because defences pummelled in the last storm have not been fully repaired

Wild storms with 130kph winds are expected to batter Ireland again on Friday night.

Businesses and homeowners in coastal areas have been warned to take precautions against flooding as the heavy rain and strong winds sweep in.

There’s a risk major damage could be caused in the West because defences pummelled in the last storm have not been fully repaired.

Met Eireann’s Joanna Donnelly said: “There’s a yellow weather alert on for Friday and an orange one for Saturday. This means we’re expecting showers and quite a lot of wind and it will get worse over the weekend.

“The orange alert is valid for the Western coast where winds will reach storm-force – or up to 130kph – and we expect there will be associated coastal flooding.

“The storms at the beginning of January were very bad and caused an awful lot of destruction so the defences in these coastal areas are depleted. This means this weekend’s storm could cause significant damage once again.”

Connacht, Munster and Co Donegal are most at risk of devastation with waves higher than 10 metres predicted.

Clare County Council today warned local residents to prepare for a “spring tide”.

Senior engineer Tom Tiernan said: “There is a serious risk countrywide of both coastal and inland flooding and all areas which have flooded in the past could be seriously impacted. Conditions could be similar in nature and extent to the storm events of early January with the potential for structural damage.

“Current firm indications are severe weather conditions will pertain throughout the coming weekend commencing with a substantial rainfall event [today].

“In addition, tide levels will be rising to a spring tide peak overnight on Friday/Saturday morning. This will be exacerbated by significant swell conditions and high westerly and south westerly winds which will continue through Saturday.”

Mr Tiernan remarked that river levels remain “very high”.

He added: “The advice is to take appropriate precautions and not to venture out unless necessary, particularly in coastal areas.”

Weather experts added temperatures will remain wintry.

Ms Donnelly said: “We’re looking at highs of 6C to 8C on Saturday and Sunday for most the country.”